Women's soccer team inches closer to SUNYAC playoff spot

Blue Devils bounce back from tie with shutout, Scroger sets new school record

KERRA TRIVIERI
Sports Editor

The women's soccer team began their pair of weekend home games on Friday Oct. 12 against the Plattsburgh Cardinals.

The Blue Devils entered the game aware of the hard work needed to place at least sixth in the SUNYAC standings to make playoffs. The Cardinals had just come out of a winning high after shutting out Oneonta 4-0.

"Playing Plattsburgh is always a challenge," said sophomore forward Lauren Heilweil. "For some reason there is always this animosity between the teams."

The teams were forced into double overtime 110 minutets of game play. Junior goalkeeper Becky Scroger allowed for a majority of the action, making a total of nine saves against the Cardinals. Plattsburgh's junior goalkeeper Kathryn Lind stopped five of Fredonia's shots, maintaining the scoreless game with a final 0-0 tie.

"Though it is better than a loss, the tie was disappointing," Heilweil said. "We played well, but the score just did not show results."

Saturday's game against SUNY Postdam proved to be the opposite of its predecessor as everything came together in favor of the Blue Devils. Heilweil started the scoring trend making the only goal in the first half of playing time, her fifth this season.

"At the beginning of the season, we had trouble getting shots off quicker," said junior defender Sarah Stewart. "Our skill and speed have improved so much that it is finally consistent."

Freshman midfielder Christa Morgante began the second half with her first collegiate goal with an assist from Heilweil. Junior defender Jacki Borcyk scored the third goal of the game from the right-wing side. Then, junior midfielder Kaelyn Puidokas assisted the fourth goal, scored by senior defender Danielle Bleecker.

A deflected pass from junior defender Mimi Blackman completed Fredonia's series of consecutive goals.

"There was more a sense of urgency in the second half," Heilweil said. "A 1-0 lead is not really a lead at all. We knew we had to increase the score so we really worked for those last few goals to come out on top."

Potsdam made Scroger's job easy, as she faced no shots on goal in the entire game. The win allowed for her 19th career shutout, a school record.

"We are in such a good position right before the playoffs," said freshman midfielder Gina Palumbo. "We just need to keep it up."

Despite Potsdam's potent defensive efforts, Fredonia could not be denied their 5-0 SUNYAC win, pushing them closer to achieving the sixth and final playoff spot.